On raising a son on the autism spectrum, progressive politics, pop culture, and coffee addiction.

Friday, September 07, 2007

Nice and easy (down the road I go)

I think "nice" gets a bad rap.

According to conventional wisdom, "nice girls" in high school spend their Saturday nights at home playing Scrabble with the family. And, of course, everyone knows that "nice guys finish last."

But here's the thing: I wasn't home much on Saturday nights during my teenage years, and a respectable finish is generally important to me. But, every day, I try - I try really hard - to be nice. In fact, there are lots of things I'd like to be - lots of things I try to be: intelligent, capable, strong, creative; but, really, none of them would mean a thing to me if I couldn't have the nice.

Nice matters.

And that's why I am particularly delighted to have been selected by Niksmom for the Nice Matters Award. She explains it this way:

This award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends andthose who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for those who are apositive influence on our blogging world. Once you’ve been awarded pleasepass it on to 7 others who you feel are deserving of this award.

It's difficult to name just seven nice bloggers, because it seems the blogosphere is full to the brim with nice people. (And as I've been tracking the stats, not one of them is poised to finish last.) So I tried to think of people I have not bestowed other award-memes upon, but who have been particularly nice to me.

So here, for the record, are seven of the nicest people I've (n)ever (actually) met:

Funny isn't it, but sometimes being nice isn't just what you want to hear. I remember in my younger dating days I hated to hear, "You're really nice, but..." It was a death sentence. These days of course, it is a real compliment, but then, I'm older and hopefully, wiser. Thank-you!

Not only nice, but funny. I read other blogs for information, support but yours for the above but also amusement. I'd read yours even if I didn't have PDD son. i've noticed that by being nice you've also attracted the help of some nice people i.e. the lifeguard and Dierks Bentley.

Well thank you!I have appreciated your support both with the blog and of course the emails.My purpose in writing has always been to bring a little of myself to others and hopefully to edify them. We could all use a little more kindness in our worlds....so thank you again!!!!